Mark Appleby

Welcome
to my web site! I am a TOGAF certified information systems architect based in Bristol,
UK, working on enterprise architecture, solution architecture and
solution delivery for medium & large organisations.

Enterprise Architecture

Enterprise
Architecture (EA) is an approach that can bring powerful insight to
business. It provides a consistent way of describing the structure
and behaviour of an enterprise and its supporting information systems.
This opens up the means to analyse and better understand an
enterprise, and to model and plan business change.

The
Open Group's TOGAF provides a useful common vocabulary and some starter
architecture governance and development processes. I am TOGAF 8.1
and 9 certified and familiar with all aspects of the framework, include
metamodel building. My experience includes working in a new EA
practice to help build up capability, and working in
another to move their mature EA capability towards a more agile
architecture approach.

The
evolution
of EA away from being centred around IT is important, and I continue to
track Design Thinking, Service Design and Systems Thinking approaches
which I believe will contribute to the evolution
of approaches that will deliver stronger business impact in future.

Solution Architecture

Solution
Architecture is an approach to defining solutions that are
focussed on specific business programmes, projects, processes and
information systems. One of the key skills required is to
be able to very clearly identify and communicate the trade-offs that
have to be made in identifying the best solution for any specific
set of circumstances. Trade-offs that typically need to managed by the
solution architect include:

Functional - what solution needs to do,

Performance and quality,

Strategy - principles, goals, constraints,

Portfolio - dependencies, constraints,

Timeframe - delivery, phasing,

Sourcing and commercial,

Operational - both business and IT,

Information assurance and security.

I
have deep experience of working in solution architect roles across
multiple programmes, projects and suppliers. This is coupled with
considerable experience of the assurance of outsourced solution
delivery, supported by a longer-term background in IT development
and IT management. I can also mentor staff who are moving into
solution architect roles.

A bit more about me ...

I
was born in Cardiff, South Wales and grew up there, attending
Howardian High School. A graduate of the University of
Leeds, I found myself doing IT development work in the late 80s
and have made a path from there. In 1990 I moved to Bristol
and liked it so much I'm still there. On leaving Orange after
eight and a half years in 2002, I chose to work as an freelance
information systems architect. Since then I have had
successful assignments at Environment Agency, Ordnance Survey,
Ministry of Justice, Skills Funding Agency, and Bristol City
Council. You will find me cheering for the Wales rugby
and football teams. I also like to get oudoors and do battle with
my camera and a bag of lenses in search of the perfect photograph.